PLASMA

Plasma protein therapies that treat life-threatening disorders and illnesses consist of one main ingredient: plasma. These therapies are uniquely valuable to patients. Without plasma and the critical proteins that it contains, treatment would be unavailable, and many lives could be negatively impacted and even lost. Our strategic goal for plasma is “ensuring the availability of safe, high-quality plasma for fractionation.”

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What is plasma

Plasma is the single largest component of human blood that acts as a transporting medium for cells and a variety of substances vital to the human body. It contains water, salts, enzymes, antibodies, and other proteins. Plasma also carries out many critical functions, including fighting diseases, and is, therefore, essential for numerous therapies.

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92%

Water

1%

Other solutions

7%

Proteins

Proteins in our plasma

Immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins are antibodies in the immune system that help protect against foreign objects such as viruses and bacteria.

Plasma collection and manufacturing

Plasma collection

Plasma manufacturing process
Source plasma

Source plasma is collected from healthy, voluntary donors through a process called plasmapheresis, used exclusively for further manufacturing into final therapies (fractionation). Source plasma donors may receive remuneration.

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Plasma manufacturing

Plasma manufacturing process
Fractionation

Plasma is pooled and processed through a process called "fractionation" that employs time, temperature, pH, and alcohol concentrations to extract specific therapeutic proteins. These are then subjected to various purification methods and viral inactivation and removal processes to further ensure their safety and efficacy.

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Plasma therapies

Plasma protein therapies are treatment methods that are relied upon by patients with well-defined medical conditions. Plasma-derived therapies and their recombinant analogs, collectively referred to as plasma protein therapies, are unique, biologic medicines.

Plasma protein
Used to treat
Outcomes
Immunoglobulins
  • Immunology-Immunodeficiencies
  • Neurology-Immune-mediated diseases
  • Hematology
  • Dermatology
  • Infection prevention
  • Regulation of overreacting immune system
  • Improved quality of life
  • Increased life expectancy
Clotting factors
  • Bleeding from trauma
  • Over dosage of anticoagulants
  • Liver disease
  • Bleeding Disorders
  • Other rare coagulation disorders
  • Improved quality of life
  • Increased life expectancy
C1 esterase inhibitor
  • Hereditary Angioedema
  • Improved quality of life
  • Increased life expectancy
Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor
  • Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
  • Improved quality of life
  • Halts disease progression
Hyperimmune Globulins
  • Rabies, tetanus, and hepatitis
  • Rh negative pregnancy
  • Transplant therapy
  • Prevention
  • Treatment
  • Protection of babies in utero
Albumin
  • Cardiac surgery
  • Liver disease
  • Severe infections
  • Emergency and Surgical Medicine
  • Lifesaving in severe situations
  • Decreased morbidity and mortality
See full therapies list

PLASMA PROTEIN

Immunoglobulins

USED TO TREAT
Immunology-Immunodeficiencies
Neurology-Immune-mediated diseases
Haematology
Dermatology
OUTCOMES
Infection prevention
Regulation of overreacting immune system
Improved quality of life
Increased life expectancy

PLASMA PROTEIN

Clotting factors

USED TO TREAT
Immunology-Immunodeficiencies
Neurology-Immune-mediated diseases
Haematology
Dermatology
OUTCOMES
Infection prevention
Regulation of overreacting immune system
Improved quality of life
Increased life expectancy

PLASMA PROTEIN

C1 esterase inhibitor

USED TO TREAT
Hereditary Angioedema
OUTCOMES
Improved quality of life
Increased life expectancy

PLASMA PROTEIN

Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor

USED TO TREAT
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
OUTCOMES
Improved quality of life
Halts disease progression
See full therapies list
See less

Plasma for your everyday medicines

Plasma is not only essential for treating rare and chronic diseases — find out more about how plasma is used for everyday medicine, emergencies, surgical and preventive medicine.

See full list
A lady is smiling.
A young woman during the plasma donation process.
A lady and a women are hugging each other.
A young woman during the plasma donation process.

SAFETY & QUALITY

These unique therapies treat well-defined medical conditions, replacing missing or deficient proteins found in plasma, to allow their recipients to lead healthier and more productive lives. The patient populations that rely upon plasma protein therapies generally require regular infusions or injections for the duration of their lives.

Learn more about Safety & Quality

National Donor Deferral Registry

The National Donor Deferral Registry (NDDR) is a database of permanently deferred plasma donors in North America. All donors who test “reactive” for the viral agents of HIV, HBV, and HCV are added to the database and are prohibited from donating plasma at licensed and certified centers in the U.S. and Canada. This is an essential measure for the industry to ensure the safety of the final therapies.

Find out more about NDDR®

Patients notification system

The Patient Notification System (PNS) is a free, confidential, 24-hour communication system that notifies the patient and registrants about withdrawals and recalls of plasma protein therapies. This empowers the patient and registrant to receive important information directly via email, telephone, text messaging, or fax.

Find out more about Patients notification system

Plasma availability

With PPTA’s web-based system, you will be able to find a comprehensive and monthly distribution of data for the appropriate plasma protein therapies.

Why you should donate plasma

Plasma-derived medicines are often the only therapies for many rare and chronic diseases. By becoming a donor, you increase the chances of regular access to plasma medicines for those in need, contributing to the improvement of health outcomes for patients.

Donate now
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